Paper roll loading method and printer using the method

Abstract

A printer includes a paper roll holder holding a roll of paper, a paper feed path guiding the paper from the paper roll holder, a printing head provided on a portion of the paper feed path for printing on the paper, and a cutter disposed on the paper feed path between the paper roll holder and the printing head for cutting the unraveled paper roll. A method for loading a paper roll to a printer includes the step of cutting the unraveled paper roll at a position upstream of the printing head, before the edge of the paper driven reaches a position downstream of the printing head. By positioning the cutter upstream of the printing head and cutting the paper before the forward edge of the paper moves downstream of the printing head, the printing head and a platen roller can be kept free of any dirt adhering to the paper.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A printer, comprising: 
       a paper roll holder including a cover for holding a roll of paper when the cover is closed;  
       a paper feed path guiding the paper from the paper roll holder;  
       a printing head provided on a portion of the paper feed path for printing on the paper; and  
       a cutter disposed on the paper feed path between the paper roll holder and the printing head for cutting an unraveled portion of the roll of paper being held in the paper holder prior to printing on the paper by the printing head, the cutter being provided on a front edge of the cover of the paper roll holder and, when the cover is closed, the cutter is in a position on the paper feed path upstream of the printing head, so that as the roll of paper is unraveled a leading edge of an unraveled portion of the roll of paper passes the cutter to the printing head.  
     
     
       2. The printer as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
       a paper cut detector that detects cutting of a portion of the paper by the cutter; and  
       a paper feeder which, in response to a detection by the paper cut detector, starts to feed an edge of a cut portion of the paper such that the edge of the cut portion of the paper reaches a position downstream of the printing head.  
     
     
       3. The printer as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the paper feed path includes a platen roller, a paper guide and a feed roller. 
     
     
       4. The printer as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a blade of the cutter is slanted with respect to a direction in a width of the paper unraveled from the paper roll. 
     
     
       5. A method for loading a paper roll into a printer, comprising: 
       setting a paper roll on a paper roll holder having a cover;  
       positioning a cutter on a front edge of the cover of the paper roll holder;  
       unraveling paper from the paper roll to a position passing the cutter to a position beyond the cutter;  
       cutting an unraveled portion of the paper roll held in the paper holder when the cover is closed and prior to printing on the paper; and  
       driving a cut edge of the paper to a position downstream of a printing head.  
     
     
       6. A method for loading a paper roll to a printer comprising: 
       positioning a cutter on a front edge of a cover of a paper roll holder such that when the cover is closed, the cutter comes to a position on a paper feed path upstream of printing head; and  
       cutting an unraveled portion of the paper roll being held in the paper roll holder when the cover is closed and prior to printing on the paper by a printing head.